FLOWCHART
A FLOWCHART ISA DIAGRAM THAT USES GRAPHIC SYMBOLS TO DEPICT THE NATURE
AND FLOW OF THE
STEPS IN A PROCESS. ANOTHER NAME FOR THIS TOOL IS "FLOW DIAGRAM."
What Are the Elements of a Flowchart?
A flowchart is commonly used by systems analysts to visualize the series of processes in a
business system. A flowchart is a useful tool to design an efficient business system and to
troubleshoot or improve an existing system. A flowchart consists of elements, such as the
terminator, process, sub process, decision, arrow lines, and connectors.
Terminator
A terminator is represented by a small rectangle with curved corners. A terminator
appears at the start and at the end of a flowchart. The end terminator appears only once
on a single flowchart.
3.
2. Process
A processis represented by a rectangle. It refers to an action in a
business process. It
must be described clearly and concisely. A process can be described
using a single verbnoun
phrase; for example, "Order Office Supplies." The same level of detail
must be kept
in processes on a single flowchart.
4.
3. SUB-PROCESS
A sub-processis represented by a rectangle with double
lines on each side. A subprocess is a major process that could
be broken up into simpler processes developed
into another flowchart.
5.
4. DECISION
A decisionis represented by a diamond. A
process that can answer a decision of "yes" or "no"
requires a decision box.
6.
5. CONNECTOR
A connectoris represented by a small circle or a
connector box and is labeled using letters. A flowchart written
on a single page is clearer than a flowchart on several pages.
A connector ensures that the processes are connected
logically and correctly on several pages.
7.
6. ARROW LINES
Arrowlines drawn in one direction, preferably from top to
bottom, keep a flowchart clear. Avoid arrow lines that loop
because this could indicate redundancy in the business
process.
8.
THE SYMBOLS THATARE COMMONLY USED IN FLOWCHARTS (VIEWGRAPH 3) HAVE
SPECIFIC MEANINGS
AND ARE CONNECTED BY ARROWS INDICATING THE FLOW FROM ONE STEP TO
ANOTHER:
• 1. Oval. Ovals indicate both the starting point and the ending
point of the process steps
9.
2. BOX. ABOX REPRESENTS AN INDIVIDUAL STEP OR ACTIVITY IN
THE PROCESS.
10.
3. DIAMOND. ADIAMOND SHOWS A DECISION POINT, SUCH AS YES/NO
OR GO/NO-GO. EACH PATH
EMERGING FROM THE DIAMOND MUST BE LABELED WITH ONE OF THE
POSSIBLE ANSWERS.
11.
4. CIRCLE. ACIRCLE INDICATES THAT A PARTICULAR STEP IS
CONNECTED TO ANOTHER PAGE OR PART OF
THE FLOWCHART. A LETTER PLACED IN THE CIRCLE CLARIFIES
THE CONTINUATION
12.
5. TRIANGLE. ATRIANGLE SHOWS WHERE AN IN-PROCESS
MEASUREMENT OCCURS.